Gospel Corner

04/06/25

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram…built an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 13:17–18, NIV

It Is Yours
Abraham and his nephew Lot had such great herds and flocks that the land couldn’t support them both. Abraham allowed Lot to take the best land, with plenty of springs and lush pastures, and Abraham ended up with dry land that was not nearly as desirable. After this disappointment, after Abraham was having to start over, God spoke to him today’s Scripture, and Abraham’s response was to build an altar. He didn’t have the land yet, but he thanked God that what He promised was on the way. He knew the power of an altar.

God has whispered promises in your spirit that may seem impossible. Now do your part and build the altar. Thank God that it’s on the way. Remind Him of His greatness. Go back over the times when God opened a door you couldn’t open or prospered you despite all the odds. When you look back at the altars you’ve built and thank God for what He’s done, that’s fuel for your faith. That makes it easier to build those altars looking ahead, thanking God for what He’s about to do.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I am not limited by what the people around me do or how they treat me. Thank You that You can override difficult circumstances and bring about what You have destined me to do. I will not allow others to put a limitation on what You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The word “repentance” in the New Testament is the Greek word metanoia, which simply means “a change of mind.” Meta means “change” and noia refers to your mind.

There are religious folks who have this idea that repentance means groveling in dirt and condemning themselves until they feel they have sufficiently earned God’s forgiveness.

My question is, how condemned and sorrowful do they need to be before they have genuinely “repented”? And after they have “repented,” should they fail again in the same area, does it mean that they did not really “repent” completely the first time?

I do not doubt the sincerity of people who believe in “repentance” this way. However, you can be sincere in your intent but still be sincerely wrong when repentance is not based on right believing that leads to inward heart transformation.

It is possible to beat your breast sorrowfully, put on sackcloth and ashes, cry your eyeballs out, and remain unchanged. Sorrow doesn’t equal transformation.

It is right believing that brings about true repentance (change of mind) and hence genuine transformation. It is impossible to truly repent the Bible way—to experience Jesus, His love, His grace, and His power and to allow Him to change your mind and your belief system—and still remain the same.

Can you see how man-centered teachings on contrition and repentance can sound so good, but in reality trap people in a permanent cycle of defeat and hypocrisy? The truth is, if you are a new creation in Christ, you already hate the sin and the wrongdoing. It vexes your soul, and you are looking for a way out of your bondage.

The repentance you need—the change of mind you need—is to know that God has already forgiven you. Stop condemning yourself and walk in His righteous identity to new levels of victory over sin.

Now that you understand what Bible repentance is, let’s apply it to winning the battle for your mind. When wrong thoughts come into your head, the repentance or change of mind that you need is to know that those thoughts don’t belong to you.

Repentance in this situation is not about beating yourself up over those thoughts. I used to do that and it only left me more oppressed and defeated.

No, give them no room to flourish by ignoring them while you continue to be established and secure in your identity in Christ. Fill your mind with His thoughts, His living Word, His peace, His joy, and His love.

Gospel Corner

03/06/25

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.
Ruth 1:22, NIV

Something Far Greater.
Life had been good for Naomi in the land of Moab, but then her husband died. Ten years later, both her sons died. Both she and her widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth, were left heartbroken and very poor. Naomi decided to move back to her hometown of Bethlehem, and Ruth went with her. You can imagine how devastated they were, but God was doing things they couldn’t see right then. He was getting them back to Bethlehem so that Ruth would meet a man named Boaz who was very influential and wealthy. This was a part of God’sz, divine plan. Ruth ended up marrying Boaz. They had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David, through whose lineage Jesus was born. The disappointment was all a setup for something far greater.

When we isolate a loss or a door that closed by itself, it’s not fair. But when we understand that God works generationally, we step into generational blessings. We see things that were orchestrated long before that catapult us into our destiny.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You know best when it comes to the difficulties that come into my life. Thank You that Your sovereign plans are always so much more fulfilling and bigger than my plan. I declare that You are in control, and I believe that something big is coming my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Several years ago, I preached a message on how the devil sometimes uses the first-person pronoun to plant thoughts in our heads to deceive us. For example, he doesn’t say, “You have an eating disorder” or “You have an addiction.” The devil uses the first-person pronoun to sow thoughts such as these in your mind: “I have an eating disorder” or “I am addicted to pornography.”

He makes you think that you are thinking those thoughts of defeat. He wants you to believe that is who you are.

Upon hearing this message, a man named Walter, whom the devil had used this strategy on and trapped in a destructive addiction for many years, went home after church, locked himself in his room, and for the first time declared out loud, “I am not an addict!” He chose to reject this evil mind-set in the name of Jesus.

He related this: “At that very moment, I felt something powerful happen inside me. I don’t know how to describe this. It was as if life became spectacular because of the love of God, and I couldn’t contain the feeling.”

After making that confession out loud, Walter said, “My addiction stopped. I just lost all interest, and I don’t feel even a little bit tempted. All the wrong desires are gone, and best of all, I know I love Jesus more than ever before and I can’t live without Him. I am renewed. I am reborn. I know that everything is in His control, and I am blessed and forgiven.”

Wow! What an amazing testimony of God’s power and goodness in this brother’s life. With just one declaration, he broke the mental stronghold that the devil had placed him under for many years.

That is truly the power of right believing. If you can change what you believe, you can change your life, just like this brother did.

Are there lies about your identity that you believe in today? Break the power of those lies by declaring your identity in Christ. Say out loud, “I am a child of God. I am healed, forgiven, righteous, and holy in Christ Jesus.” Instead of believing the devil’s lies when he uses the first-person pronoun strategy against you, speak your true identity in Jesus.

01/06/25

Gospel Corner

When Psalm 91 says you shall not be afraid of “the pestilence that walks in darkness,” it speaks of every epidemic, every virus, every deadly disease, and every outbreak. When it mentions “the destruction that lays waste at noonday,” it covers all accidents and outward destruction. When it talks about the “arrow that flies by day,” it covers all projectiles, including even modern missiles that can shoot down planes.

Do you know what it means for something to “walk in darkness”? Doctors might tell you that they do not know what disease is developing in your body. Now, as a child of God, you can claim His promise straightaway and say, “I will not be afraid of the disease that walks in darkness.”

Do the necessary medical checks and consult with medical professionals, but do it without fear. Do it with your Jehovah Shalom. When you take God as your Jehovah Shalom, this is what He says to you: “Do not fear, you shall not die.”

Some years ago, there was an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in my nation of Singapore. A young woman was infected while abroad and triggered a series of transmissions after she returned to Singapore.

The deadly SARS virus infected 238 other people. Sadly, 33 of them died. Outside of Singapore, more than 20 other countries reported infections by the virus. It was a global epidemic.

A heavy cloud of fear hung over the entire nation during this time. Every day, news outlets reported new infections and fatalities. It seemed like the spread of the virus was unstoppable.

Most pointedly, a report indicated that “The most immediate impact of the new disease was fear. People stayed home more and avoided public or crowded places like swimming pools and shopping centers. Many also curbed their wanderlust and shelved travel plans.” But as a local church we continued to hold our services, which drew a regular attendance of over 8,000 people at that time.

During this period, I preached strongly on the prayer of protection in Psalm 91, and the church even gave out little cards with Psalm 91 printed on them to encourage our congregation to pray this prayer every day. I preached by faith on Jehovah Shalom and declared that as a church, the Lord’s word for us in the midst of the SARS epidemic was what He told Gideon: “Do not fear, you shall not die.” By God’s amazing grace, not one person who was attending our church regularly died from this deadly virus. Hallelujah!

29/05/25

Gospel Corner

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5, NKJV

By His Stripes
Imagine Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father and hearing us pray, “Lord, if it’s Your will, You can heal me.” He says to the Father, “So after I took all those stripes, endured all that pain for them, to take their sickness, now they’re wondering if it’s My will?” That doesn’t honor God. After the price He paid, the way to honor God is to have the attitude: “Lord, I know You want to heal me.”

We see all through the Scripture that healing is His will. One of the best things we can do is to remind God of what He says. If you want to pray with confidence, bring His stated will to Him. Pray what He promises. “God, You say You will restore health to me. You say You took my infirmities, carried my sickness, and by Your stripes I have been healed. You say You wish above all things that I prosper and be in good health.” When you pray the promises, you won’t say “if it is Your will,” because you know His will.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You have come into my life as my Savior, as my provider, and as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord my healer. Thank You that it is Your stated will to heal and restore. I will trust You to keep me strong and healthy, always taking new ground. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Mark 9:23 has been traditionally taught to mean that you can have your miracle if YOU can believe. If you can’t believe, then Jesus isn’t going to give you your miracle.

But if you study the Greek structure of the verse, it’s actually saying, “Can you believe that all things are possible to Him [Jesus] who is always believing?”

That makes a world of difference! It’s not about how well or how much you can believe, but WHO you believe. Jesus is the only one whose faith is always constant and never wavers. His faith never fails! And if you can believe that all things are possible for Jesus who never doubts, never wavers, then you are on your way to receiving your miracle!

Beloved, have faith not in your faith, but in Him who always believes and always wants to do good to you!

29/05/25

Gospel Corner

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
2 Samuel 7:16, NIV

The Promise Keeper.
Do you ever wonder how faithful God is to keep His promises to you? In today’s Scripture, God promised David that one of his descendants would always be on the throne of Israel. Over three hundred years later, one of David’s relatives, King Hezekiah, and his throne were in great danger. An overwhelming army had surrounded Jerusalem, and there was no way out. But at the last minute, God sent an angel who destroyed 185,000 enemy troops, and the people were saved. God explained to Hezekiah why He did it. He said, “David’s been in the grave for three hundred years, but I made that promise to him about his throne. I always keep My promises.”

Maybe you’re standing on a promise and it hasn’t come to pass yet. Don’t worry. If God will go to such great lengths to keep His promises to a man who’s dead, how much more will He keep His promise to you. Stay in faith, keep reminding Him what He promised, and keep thanking Him that it’s on the way. You’re about to see God show out in your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You promised You would do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what I can imagine. Thank You that You have never failed to be true to Your Word and fulfill Your promises. I believe You are about to show out in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Did you know that giving to you actually brings joy to God’s heart? When you place a demand on Him—like look to Him to heal you—you let Him be God. When you draw from His fullness—His abundance of life, health and blessing—you delight Him!

That’s why God wants you to come expectantly to Him for your healing today. See Him ready to pour His abundance out for you. See Him rejoicing when you call upon Him. As you see His heart of love that always wants to give to you, you will see your healing manifest!

Gospel Corner

28/05/25

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14, NKJV

Losing Sleep?
Are you worrying about something, losing sleep over a situation you can’t control? Who or what can stop our God? Is that trouble at work a problem for Him? Is that sickness stronger than Him? Are those people more powerful than Him? God created and controls the universe. When Moses asked God His name, He said, “My name is I AM.” He was saying, “I am everything you need. I am protection. I am strength. I am healing. I am provision. I am deliverance. I am wisdom. I am favor.” Nothing can stand against our God. When He speaks, worlds come into existence. You are connected to the most powerful force in the universe. He’s working out His purpose for your life.

Quit worrying. Quit focusing on how big your problems are, thinking they’re never going to change. Start focusing on how big your God is. The Most High God is maneuvering things in your favor. He’s moving the wrong people out of the way, lining up good breaks, turning negative situations around. The great I AM is about to show out in your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are my great I AM with power that is greater than any need I have. When I face problems that seem overwhelming, help me learn to hold my peace and remain at rest in who You are. I believe that You will work out Your purpose for my life and be right on time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

The Lord has put a now word in my heart for the times we are living in, and that word is “protection.” I want to show you from the Bible what Jesus died to give you in the area of protection.

Even as I write this devotional, the Lord is commissioning me to preach strongly from Psalm 91 so that you can walk in His divine protection in these last days. Psalm 91 has just sixteen verses, but is loaded with many potent promises that we can stand upon.

Unfortunately, when we are faced with problems, whether it is a sickness, an accident, or any kind of trouble, many of us don’t lay hold of and claim the Lord’s deliverance found in His Word. Yet, when you do hold on to God’s Word for deliverance, the devil is so afraid that the Word will become firmly rooted in your heart.

That is why he will come immediately to try to steal the Word from your heart. He will point to your outward circumstances and taunt you with thoughts such as, “Look, your child is still sick—where is God now? Where is the reality of Psalm 91?”

At that very moment, you are presented with a choice. You can either back away from God’s Word and agree with the enemy, or you can stand in faith and continue to believe His promises.

Even as the Lord put it on my heart to write this devotional on divine protection, He told me that there are people reading this who might think, I have claimed the promises in Psalm 91 before and it didn’t work. My dear friend, I want to encourage you to hold on to His Word.

Whatever your experience has been, the Word of God stands eternal and unshakable. If you have not experienced full protection in the past, I believe that as you hold on to His Word and persevere in faith, you will walk more and more in the Lord’s total protection.

26/05/25

Gospel Corner

Romans 8:31 contains a powerful rhetorical question and I encourage you to memorize it. Unfortunately, there are still some believers today wondering, “Is God really for me?”

Well, my friend, the Word of God does NOT say “maybe God is for us” or “hopefully, God is for us.” It simply says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Indeed, when God is for you, what opposition can succeed against you? When God Himself fights for you, defends you and vindicates you, what adversity or adversary can stand against you? There are none! Hallelujah!

“But Pastor Prince, how did God come to be on our side? Even though I am a Christian today, I still fail and fall short of God’s holy standards. I still lose my temper on the road now and then, and from time to time, I still get angry with my wife and kids. Why should God be on my side when I fail? Don’t you know that God’s holy?”

All great questions. Let me tell you why God is on our side. The answer is found at the cross. The blood that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed on the cross put God on your side. Today, God can be for you even when you fail because Jesus’ blood has washed you whiter than snow!

Have you seen Cecil DeMille’s movie, The Ten Commandments, or the animation, The Prince Of Egypt? Do you remember what happened on the night of the Passover?

The children of Israel put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts. What did the blood do? The blood put God on their side! None of the families who had applied blood on their doorposts had to fear the death of their firstborn children.

Now, think about this for a moment. Were the firstborn children of Israel spared that night because of their perfect behavior and conduct, or were they spared because of the blood of the lamb? Of course, it was because of the blood of the lamb!

In the same way, God does not bless you, as a new covenant believer, based on your perfect behavior and conduct. He is for you today because of the blood of the perfect Lamb—Jesus Christ.

That is why as believers today, we don’t have to fight for ourselves. I like to say it this way: “If God is for us, who can come successfully against us?”

Always remember that God is on your side today because of Jesus’ blood. His holiness and righteousness that men are afraid of are now on your side because of Jesus’ blood. His unmerited favor is on your side and all of heaven’s resources are yours because of Jesus’ blood!

Now, who can come successfully against you? No sickness, no disease, no creditor, no evil accusation, no gossip—no weapon formed against you, can come successfully against you (Isa. 54:17)!